Assisted Dying Proposal

[hypochondriac]

3 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Alberta now looking at Canada's slide into allowing non terminally ill people access to assisted dying.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d5d54glreo

'The legislation also garnered support from Mara Grunau, chief executive of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Alberta division, who said in a statement that "Recovery from mental illness and suicidality is possible, expected even".'

An indicator of how far they'd strayed for terminal illness.

The counter that not allowing mentally ill people to get themselves killed, as it infringes on their freedom of choice, not only baffles me, but makes me wonder at the motivations of those with that view.

 "additional barriers for individuals who are suffering and who wish to exercise choice".

Good. Apparently widening the scope of who is eligible over time never happens apparently...

[Holmes_and_Watson]

The Westminster assisted dying bill isn't going to get through. "in this parliament" leaving the door open for it, in the future. And for more painful debate and a possible I fortunate outcome, in my view, of it passing.

On the Scottish bill that also failed, the headline was that the MSP who raised it, wouldn't be pursuing it in the next parliament there. However, that could just mean that anyone else can start it up again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg97ze4jx9o

Opponents of the bill said the proposal "does not sufficiently guard against coercion or protect the most vulnerable people in our society".

The peers also argued that a backbencher's bill was the "wrong vehicle for a change of this scale and sensitivity" and expressed concern that supporters could try to "force" the bill through Parliament. 

The Scottish version got so far down the track based on a nod and a "fill in the details later" approach. Not uncommon for bills. But an approach I've never liked, and one that's terrifying for something like this.

Backers of the bill blame the 1200 amendments. I've heard politicians talk about other bills with similar numbers. They groaned at the memory of them. But said it's due to legislation having gaps when it gets to them.

I'm relieved this has gone, but it's not been defeated.